Cox Plate-winning jockey Michael Rodd is making a hit-and-run visit to Melbourne to partner a former Singapore Horse of the Year at The Valley.
The ex-pat Australian, now in his fifth season riding in Singapore, won the Cox Plate in 2008 on Maldivian and partners Debt Agent in the Group Two Crystal Mile on Saturday.
Debt Agent raced in Singapore as Debt Collector with Rodd successful 12 times on the gelding, including five at Group One level.
The horse is now in the care of Jim Conlan after being prepared by Australian Cliff Brown in Singapore and Rodd said owner Glenn Whittenbury had asked the jockey to come to Melbourne for his opinion on how Debt Agent was going.
“I’ve had a fair bit of success on him and I know him quite well and they just want me to give them a bit of a guide as to how he is,” Rodd told AAP.
Debt Agent finished eighth in his Australian debut over 1400m at Flemington on October 5.
Rodd said he noted Debt Agent seemed fresh that day, but had stuck to his task well.
“It’s not his style to get up on the bridle as he normally relaxes, but Jim says he’s done well and everything’s fine with him,” Rodd said.
“He’s a quirky horse, not a straightforward horse to ride as his racing pattern is out the back and you’ve just got to trust him.
“He’s got to get balanced and be comfortable early in the race then over the last 600 metres is when you start waking him up and bringing him into it.”
Debt Agent is Rodd’s only ride on Saturday.
“Everyone’s in town, not like last weekend where they were split between Melbourne and Sydney,” Rodd said.
“Luckily I know the track quite well and I know the horse well, so it should be OK.”
